Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who is the President of the Universal Society of Hinduism, said in a statement that the bindi carries a religious significance that's "not meant to be thrown around loosely for seductive effects as fashion accessory aiming at mercantile greed."

Gomez isn't alone. The bindi, sometimes also called the third eye, hasn't been an uncommon sight in Hollywood, as other stars like Katy Perry and, perhaps most memorably, Gwen Stefani have been seen sporting bindi on their heads.

For Zed, that's problematic because it wasn't "created just for Hollywood’s usage to add dramatic [e]ffects, as some sanctity and spirituality was attached to these."

In the statement, Zed asks Gomez for an apology, saying that "as a renowned performer, she should get acquainted with the basics of world religions."

Seems quite clear from scanning all the posts here that VERY few have a problem with Selena wearing the bindi. As has been pointed out, it's largely worn much like jewelry or make up, even by girls & women in India. It's also worn by Bollywood actresses in less than "innocent" or spiritual scenarios.

Since it seems the bindi does not hold the same spiritual or religious significance as it may once have, there is no merit to the argument against her or anyone else wearing it. I actually think it brings the focus to the eyes, often one of the most striking features of a woman. We have freedom of speech & expression in this country so she is not breaking any laws. Even if she were performing in India she would have the right to wear it. IF it held the same religious significance it once did centuries ago, it MIGHT make a little sense that people were upset. In today's society though & especially in THIS country, it's a non-issue.

I don't recall Gwen Stefani catching hell for wearing one but I DO recall a video of theirs being pulled because it upset Native Americans. That's another situation where people got bent out of shape for no reason. People REALLY need to lighten up!

Google Rajan Zed's name & you will see that he's just a publicity grabber who tries to get his name out there wherever he can, but he doesn't represent any critical mass of Hindus. The reporter here was not doing a very good job of getting at the truth but *was* good at stirring up false controversy.

I'm not Hindu, but I've been to India twice & my child was adopted from there. Wearing a bindi is more akin to wearing earrings, nail polish or eye makeup. They're cheap & you can buy stick-on ones anywhere over there. They are *not* "caste marks" as many Americans think.

Rajan is an idiot. I am Hindu and while they did have a heavy cultural significance, this has long ago changed. They did relate to caste, wealth, importance and a host of many other things, the specifics I am not aware of. Frankly, I think Gwen Stefani looks hot with the bindi on her head.

Oh please !! third eye ! give me a break, she looks beautiful, does not need to apologize for wearing it and being a hindu for all the 14 generations that I can trace of my family, I think the hindu statesman should go to the himalayas in some remote cave and live there. Most women and girls in India wear them as ornament. He doesn't ask the bollywood actresses to apologize does he ? Can't stand these guardians of religion .. hellbent on getting their two seconds of fame.

How is this any different than a certain group of bikers who ride loud motorcycles, leathers, and have crosses all over their jackets. Some of them maybe atheists.... I am not a fan of Selena Gomez but I think Rajan Zed is definitely over-reacting her. It's called freedom of expression, get over yourself and grow up, Raj.

I completely agree. I am a Hindu myself. There is absolutely no reason for relating Bindi into any religious sentiments. In India where maximum hindu population resides, it's a part of daily make up for many women. In conservative hindu families it;s a aprt and parcel of women's attire and bulk of the modern , progressive hindu families leave it to women to wear it or not. Sad to see in a country like USA there are people like Ranjan Zed who just want to portray hinduism as a non-mainstream religion. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wearing bindi at any occaission and any women can wear it.

I am a hindu (well I don't know why they call us hindu but anyways) and I do not agree with that statement by some hindu organization regarding whatever is on her forehead. We have no rules whatsoever. God does not care. Karma is the word. Everyone is free. That's "hinduism". Don't tell other people what to do and what not to do, whoever you are stupid Razan. You are just someone trying to get some attention. This should not even be on CNN.

Just to remind this Razan guy, God himself once incarnates as a seductive woman. Boy, hindus are no religious nuts don't make us look like it. Selena Gomez is cool! :D Indians are doing all that all the time on their movies and this nut is telling Selena not to do it. Why don't you try to stop it in your home country first if you can hahahaha. (Hint: Don't do it, it's bad karma for you.)

I don't believe most singers have that much authority over how they dress during concerts. Don't forget she has an agent, a stage manager, a wardrobe specialist, a choreographer, a set decorator and so on – I highly doubt that she is the one who said "This is what we're all wearing".

Lots of entertainers wear religious symbols with no thought to their meaning or even if doing so would offend others. Look at the endless parade of "rappers" with crosses so egregious they would make a Borgia Pope blush and those people generally can hardly be called "Christians".

Entertainers are not noted for their ability to think rationally or even in mature manner. if it sells, it's swell.

What is wrong in wearing a bindi. I am a Hindu. Many bollywood stars wear bindi while doing all kinds of gyrating dances while wearing skimpy clothes. I think Zed wants to be in news and canvas he is representing all hindus in north America.

Must be a slow news day. Who is this man complaining? Is he an official Hindu spokesman or just the only person CNN could find to make some kind of comment!? Seriously if you are soooo sensitive to religeous symbols being uzsed, go live in a cave and don't expose your pure spiritual mind to such western sacrilige. It's a free world and we are free to critisize and even to mock religion.

Hindus in the USA are liberal, progressive and rational. A bindi in a dance routine has nothing to do with Hinduism, and Rajan Zed is a nobody. He doesn't represent Hinduism or Hindus. At most he represents the views of 5-10% of Hindus in the USA. In fact in my opinion, Rajan Zed's criticism and talibanistic approach to all of this is in opposition to the teachings and practice of Hinduism.

As a member of the indian community I take no offense to her sporting the bindi...the bindi marks the location of the third eye...inner vision and intuition...the eye of vishnu...whether used seductively or not, this woman has a right to wear it for her own spiritual acknowledgment and even growth...if anything it help people get a better understanding of why we wear the bindi in the first place..and OH PLEASE have you not seen the bollywood actresses these days? They wear bindis too and are far from innocent...so remove you double standards please and thanksssss

I went to graduate school in the late 90s with a woman from India, who was in her 20s and married to an Indian man, her marriage was even arranged, so she held many traditional Indian values. She had brought in a sheet of self-stick Bindi and was putting one on before class started. I told her how lovely they were. She offered one for me to wear. I asked her if it was proper, because I didn't want to be disrespectful. She said no problem, traditionally they are only worn by married women but nowadays unmarried girls will wear them, and anyway, I was getting married in a couple of months. She put one on my forehead. A couple of non-Indian students entered the class and chastised me for "disrespecting Indian culture" for having one on. My friend, Shilpi, told them to be quiet because they had no idea what they were talking about.

" other stars like Katy Perry and, perhaps most memorably, Gwen Stefani have been seen sporting bindi on their heads."
So Gomez can't even come up with something original. No surprise there, from a manufactured "star".

It is racist to assume that someone shouldn't be wearing a bindi because they don't look a certain way. Anyone can wear a bindi, just like anyone can wear a hat. How the wearer interprets the meaning is part of their own spirituality that should not be imposed on others. My daughter like to wear bindis and she has blond hair and blue eyes. I have livied in India, and know for a fact that most Indian women wear bindis because they just like how it looks.

I'd wager it's racist to say that your opinion, or your "right to do what you please," trumps that of the opinions and wishes of the ethnic group and cultures from which the items being appropriated, originated from. I'd also consider it pretty racist to think that by virtue of your existence, you have the right to supersede the authority of those from that ethnic group, disregard the integrity of their culture, and state that you are superior all while feigning "reverse racism," because someone had the audacity to tell you "no." Just because something exists, doesn't mean it exists for you to take. But that sort of reasoning requires a moral compass, and a sense of respect. And it certainly doesn't associate values with the voices of minorities based on who is more agreeable to your desires. Also it's ignorant and racist to assume that Indians can't have blonde hair or blue eyes. Thanks for the stereotype, world traveler.

I so agree with you. I am Indian...i don't see any problem with it. Fringe groups make me mad!!!
Maybe I should add a link to an "ITEM Song" – seductive dances in Bolllywood movies- where the ladies in skimpy dresses wear bindis. I G N O R E him!! do not apologize!!

"Bindi" refers to the "third eye" which Hindu mythology recognizes but I doubt it means much more than that. Many many people have small statues in their homes of the Buddha, who are not Buddhists. Should Buddhists get upset? This is silly just as the concept of a "third eye" is pretty silly. Why Selena would be wearing one seems kind of silly also since I am not aware that she is a HIndu.

Incorrect. The bindi is as much a cultural and an ethnoreligious item to the people of South Asia, regardless of individual religion. And unless you are a person native to South Asia, then your feelings on the subject carry no weight compared to those who are. It's wise to be silent on subjects which you know little about.

Actually Jen, I do believe Madonna used a cross as an accessory & prop in one of her videos once, but people seemed more upset because she kissed a black man in it than they were that she desecrated a Christian symbol of faith, in a religious establishment no less

Well I would say the same thing. If its your religion then you should feel secure enough with it not to let it bother you if others want to use the symbolism in another way. Watch the South Park episode about the image of Mohammed not being allowed to be shown in cartoons.

This hypocrite Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, who is the President of the Universal Society of Hinduism should take a long hard look at Bollywood movies, where the Indian actresses, making lewd suggestive gestures while dancing around trees often have "bindis." Now these are Hindus in a predominantly Hindu country. So what exactly is this ignoramus talking about? Let anybody, anybody watch these Bollywood movies and find out if these moves by the actresses are not "seductive effects" as this so called Hindu Statesman maintains. This has been going on for years.
This idiotic talking head should first do his homework before making his ignorance public. It's easy to target the West, but brother, look into your own backyard first, and second, let's hear you say something to the powerful Bollywood lobby and all the bindi sporting twirling Indian actresses. Don't use your religion in the West to gain sympathy by twisting the facts.

Silly nonsense...Gwen Stefani wore one for years and no apology was ever needed also at the same awards show the band who played before her were dressed in traditional mariachi suits...should they apologize to the hispanic community too? this is so ridiculous